Sunday, January 31, 2010

I am always inspired by Pottery Barn, I think a lot of us are, and why not? They have expert stylists, endless props and merchandise, and super photography. What's not to love?Ummm...the prices.So instead of hoping and dreaming that the Pottery Barn Fairy would bestow endless wishes on me....I got to work.

Inspiration #1Enter ball finial. I have seen this recreated a time or two already and I really do love it. The weathered finish, slightly shabby yet classic look. I'm going to give it a try-I can do this!

Fortunately, I was able to purchase a concrete ball finial, that looks nearly like it, except for the base...something I could live with.

BEFORE

AFTER

I was really excited about the finished product, and the Pottery Barn Fairy is mad because it turned out so well. She's sulking in the corner...

Inspiration #2

Enter Boxwood Wreath. This is a loverly picture from PB website but I was initially inspired when I was leafing through the catalog....

For the Christmas season I loved this boxwood wreath and the clocks hanging from the center...very inspiring.

Of course Pottery Barns Version is fresh boxwood, but I made mine from artificial boxwood. I really loved it during Christmas.

I didn't hang clocks, but a monogram for my last name that I made from a vintage book page and a tag....I actually haven't taken it down, it hangs right inside the front door. Boxwood isn't too seasonal for me.

BEFORE

So then I decided that if I was going to leave it up all the time, I should give it a little Valentine's Day Trimming!AFTERThe Pottery Barn Fairy is really mad now!

Inspiration #3

Enter chalkboard platter. I don't really care for the rectangle version, but I really admired the oval one. With a Dollar Tree platter and a steady hand, I was able to recreate the look .

Here is the

AFTER

The Pottery Barn Fairy distracted me and I forgot to take a picture of the platter before I poured on the paint. She was trying to woo me with those beautiful bird plates...have you seen those? They are fantastic!

I think you can visualize the before....it was a white platter...:)

Well, that's it for now, I'm sure that Pottery Barn will continue to inspire me, time and time again!

OK Pottery Barn Fairy, just to make you happy, I'll go look at the clearance section!

But first, I'm going to visit Gina, Kim, Cindy and Becca and all the great ideas at

Friday, January 29, 2010

Jute: Burlap's stringy cousin. Love this stuff. Even stranger; I like how it smells. Yes, I'm a jute sniffer.Really, you just can't help it.

I was perusing through the local thrift store and spied a zip lock bag of napkin rings. $1.00. super.

The bag contained 8 simple, basic wooden napkin rings and I knew the round portion of it would be nice for wrapping. I have also seen sets of 4 at the Dollar Tree too, but in plastic.

I heated up the ole glue gun and glued one end of the jute in the inside of the ring, and just started wrapping, making sure that the jute stayed super tight. The only time I glued again was if I ran out of string or at the very end.

If you do run out, I did during the first two, I wasn't sure just how much it would take. Just cut it off on the inside, attach more string to the inside and start again. I think it took about 4 yards of string, if you can believe it...

See the wonderful napkins that are modeling the newly juted rings? Gift from my good friend, Judy. Which I lovingly call Jude for short (which isn't spelled any shorter), and often sing the song of the same name...Thanks Jude.

Jude knows about my green and white obsession

I am not a salt and pepper shaker collector, but I might be on the verge, because I have quite a few. I'm drawing the line at S & P shakers, placecard holders and napkin rings...but that's it!

This is my newest acquisition-how cute (and GREEN)!

I love the texture the jute offers. I see many tablescapes being created with these babies!

I'm also thinking about an embellishment of some sort. If I come across something really cute and creative, but for now I like the napkin being the leader.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

You might remember when I was inspired to make a boxwood wreath like the one in the Pottery Barn Catalog for Christmas...remember? Good.

I have been really happy with it, because to me boxwood is an everyday greenery, an evergreen, an all the time kinda thing.....and I decided to give it a little love for Valentine's day.

This is how my little wreath looked like dressed up for Christmas

....and here it is all ready for Febuary 14th.

I left the "E" (for Edwards) on and simply added some fun checkered ribbon, a puffy heart, a glitter heart and tied a bow with the wired heart garland.I got most of the supplies at Michael's, but I had the ribbon left over from Christmas. That's the great thing about Valentine's Day, some things will transition right from Christmas.My boxwood wreath is proving to be very useful! Maybe even St. Patrick's Day?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

I have a thing for trays. They are useful for carrying, holding and displaying. Love 'em! So when I spied what looked to me like an over-sized tray at the GW, I scooped it up. I later discovered it is the top to a tray table, but for six bucks, who needs legs?

I'm not a cherry girl, but I loved the shape and function of this tray and the hardware was really neat.

I initially thought that I would take the entire piece apart, but Justin suggested that I just tape off the hardware, I did, and it proved to be a lot easier. I sometimes make things harder than they have to be...speaking of which, I used a spray primer and a spray paint and it was so super easy, I'm usually a paint-with-the-brush kind of gal...but spraying was the way to go in this project. Note to self: just because you took the easy spray paint road doesn't make a project any less pretty, just less time consumming!I really like how all the sides lay downI cleaned the piece really well with degreaser and used Zinsser's 1-2-3-Primer to seal everythingI used Krylon Satin Ivory for a top coat and gently sanded the edges for a less than perfect look.

I accessorized it on the buffet for now, but I would love to see it on the ottoman, or maybe with breakfast being served....to me....in bed (hint, hint Justin!)I like the edges distressed, just like me...You are probably thinking I need some color in my life, but I am finding a monochromatic pallet very soothing to me right now...

It probably won't last long, I know me, spring will be here before long and I'll be craving all the color that comes with it